Means for lubricating leaf-springs



'1. L RlCHEYi MEANS FOR LUBRICATING LEAF SPRINGS A PPLICAHON FILED SEPT-14, 1918.

Patented Sept. 14, 1920,

2 SHEETS- SHEET J. I. RICHEY.

MEANS FOR LUBRICATING LEAF SPRINGS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-1.4., 1m.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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Patented Sept, 14, 192%.

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REGHEY, OF CINCINNATI, OHI o.

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EIIEANS FOR LUBRICATING LEAF-STPRINGS.

Application filed September 14, 1918.

To all whom 2'2- may concern Be it known that 1, JAMES l. Riorisr, a cltlzen of the United States, and resident of v Cincinnati in the county ofHamilton and State of hi0, have invented certain; new and useful Improvements in Means for Lubriceting Leaf-Springs, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the ucmmpnnying drawings, forming a part of this specifics trolled largely by the springs whereon the body of the same supported or suspended. In order that the best results may be ob.-

tained Where leaf springs are used, it is spring in necessary that the leaves be thoroughly lubricated so that they may act freely and thus provide the desired resilience. roper lubrication of such springs furthermore contributes not only to the easy riding qualities of the vehicle,-but also to the durability and life of the vehicle as well as or the lspring itself. A. further benefit obtained by the proper lubrication of leaf-springs, partied larly where the some are used upon automobiles as is almost universally done, resides in an attendant reduction in the Wear upon tires, 'as well lubricated springs permit the vehicle to pass more freely over road inequalities and obstructions; this results also in a saving of gesolene or other fuel.

The principal object of my invention is to provide means wherebythe leaf springs of vehicles may. be properly lubricated at all times, thereby achieving the benefits and edventelges above mentioned.

Further objects of this invention will. appear more fully from the following dctailed description thereof.

In the drawings: Figure l is s perspective of eleef spring provided with 2. lubriceting housing constructed in accordance with the pmsent invention;

Fig. 2 is a. similar .view illustrating the an inverted position, part of the housing being broken sway;

Specification of Letters Patent.

for lubrillutented Sept. l i. 1924).

Serial No. 254,092.

Fig. 3 is :1 perspective of portions of the housing; i

Fig, 4c a perspective of the lining employed in the housing;

1* ig. 5 is a central longitudinal section of a leaf spring and housing;

Fig. 6 a cross-sectional view on line 6--6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a perspective of the clamping bolts for securing; the housing to the spring;

F 8 is a. longitudinal sectional view of s modification.

The numeral 1 indicates the middle por-' tion of a housing for a leaf spring as embodying a referred form of the present invention. he some 18 constructed of sheet stantially U shaped in cross section, as clearly indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Pivotally secured to the member 1 are end members 2 and 3, the same being also sub stantiully ilshuped in cross section and ing provided with slots 4 arranged to on gage bolts or rivets 5 which also pass through perforations 6 in the member 1. The end members 2 and 3 are also made of sheet metal or other suitable material. The members 1, 2 and 3 assembled as above-set forth are arranged to fit around the bottom and sides of a leaf spring 7, the member 1 being secured by the usual bolts or clips 8 used for securing the spring to the vehicle. interposed between the housing and spring is a felt or other suitable lining 9 illustrated in detail in Fig. 4..

The end members 2 and 8 are provided with outwardly turned flanges 10, having bolt holes 11. Cover plates 12 are secured to the end plates 2 and 3 by means of bolts 13, which pass through the holes 11 in the flanges 1,0 andthrough registering holes in the plates. he lining 9 is provided with flanges 1'4: which lie between the flanges 10 and the cover plates when assembled. The flanges 10 are slit at the ends and bent over on the cover plates as shown at 15 in the drawings.

metal or other suitable material and is sub-.

The housing consisting of the members 1, l.

clamped about filie ends of the members 2 and 3 adjacent the flanges l6 thus securing the ends of the housing'to the sprinq,

Lubricant cups l8 ere mounted on the housing substantially the highest points thereof as shown in l and 2 ofthe drawings. The said cups serve the usual purpose of introducing a lubricant, the same passing from the cups into the housing being distributed. partially by gravity to the spring leaves. age of the lubricant from the housing.

in Fig. 8 l have shown a modification of the housing the. same being shown av substantially rectangular casing or box 19 adapted to receive the spring, and a cover plate 20 arranged to it upon said box.

lhe nature and operation of my invention. will be apparent from the foregoing description to those skilled in the art to Wiich the same appertains; The housing constructed and secured to a leai spring as above set forth is adapted to receive and maintain a S11}l ply of lubricant within which the spring operates. The housing, already stated, is of sufficient to permit free and unobstructed movement of the spring, and itself moves with the spring; by reason of the pivotal mounting of the end n'iemhers and 3 upon the member 1; the slots 4 permit also of longitudinal extension of the housing to compensate i'or any longitudinal stresses and strains which may he put upon it.

It will he iinderstood that various modifica ons in details of the invention as above The lining S) prevents leak-'- descrilied may he made Without departing from the spirit and scope of said invention, and l desire to have it understood that I do not confine myself to the specific embodiment of the invention (isclosed' in the drawings and this specification but deem of my invention all such modifications as come fairly within the purview of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A device of the character specified, comprising in combination with a leaf spring, a housing for said spring, said housing comprising a middle section, end sections pivotally secured to said middle section, said middle and end sections being arranged to fit around the bottom and sides of said spring, and cover plates for said end sections, said housing being adapted to contain a supply of: lubricant for said spring.

2. A device of the character specified, coin- I'HlSlHg' in combination with a leaf spring, a housing for said spring, said hous ng com.- prising a middle section, end sections pivotally secured to said middle section, said middle and end sections being arranged to fit around the bottom and sides of said spring cover plates for said end sections, said housing being adapted to contain a supply of lubricant for said spring, and a lining for said housing to prevent leakage of the lubricant therefrom.

Mines 1. RIG/HEY, 

